Salon Business

Better Business

August 1, 2007 By: American Salon Staff American Salon

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The salon, which opened four years ago and recently moved to a new location, primarily attracts women between the ages of 40 and 60, but its unique Hair Audit consultation attracts many younger women. The free consultation consists of an extensive evaluation of the condition, color and texture of the hair, followed by a complimentary shampoo and style. "The Hair Audit is great for clients because it allows them to get to know and feel comfortable with a stylist before committing to a haircut," Beatty says. "It's also great for stylists because 98 percent of the people who come in for the consultation book future appointments."

In stock: Aquage, American Crew, Nioxin

4. Goldwaves Salon

Located in an old Victorian home with a wrap-around porch, Goldwaves Salon not only looks like a house from the outside, but also makes everyone inside feel at home. "It's a great place for our employees to work and a great place for our clients to escape to," says Manager Leslie Rice, whose mom, Judy, owns the salon.

Goldwaves Salon, which opened 19 years ago, offers the usual services like cuts, color and styling, as well as facials, waxing and makeup application. In addition, a full gift shop allows clients to shop for everything from hair products and makeup bags to hand-painted kitchen utensils and wine glasses. "The gift shop is a great revenue-producer for the salon," Rice says. "It's become a destination spot for clients when they need to buy a gift. We even offer to wrap the gifts free of charge."

In stock: Bumble and bumble, YY

Big Fish, Small Pond

In small towns all over America, there's one salon that raises the bar for everyone else. Clinton Township, MI, (population 95,648) has Bianchi's Salon & Spa.

In 1782, Moravian missionary David Zeisberger and his followers founded the first settlement in Clinton Township, so named for the river that runs through it. A product of the Ice Age, the Clinton River forks into three branches within a mile of the original settlement.

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP: Bianchi's Clinton Township location opened last year; the reception area and retail offerings; the spa attracts the area's high-end residents; its modern design sets Bianchi's apart from other nearby salons; Italian Gamma & Bross chairs and shampoo bowls add a unique flair.

Set to open its third branch, Bianchi's Salon & Spa is no stranger to expansion. Owner Ralph Bianchi's sister, Lucille Benac, started the salon in a shopping center in 1976. As the six-chair salon got busier, Bianchi added chairs. "We were growing so fast that at 25 chairs, we were busting out," says Bianchi, who eventually took over the business. It was time to build a freestanding salon.

Now there is a Bianchi's in nearby Troy and the recently added Clinton Township location, which just opened last year. "I put more than $2.5 million into this location," says Bianchi. "It's a big difference from most other salons around here." That's in large part due to the 47 plasma TVs, one at every station, as well as the Porsche chairs and shampoo bowls from Italian company Gamma & Bross. The 8,000-square-foot space also includes a spa in addition to a full-service salon.

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